Keith Curle eventually got the sack in February and the players’ attitude quite frankly stunk after that. Many of them didn’t seem to care, and appeared as though they just couldn’t wait for the season to end so they could leave.
It looked like our season was going to fizzle out into a series of gutless, hopeless defeats but then Chris Kiwomya began to give our promising youngsters a chance. Although at first results didn’t improve, performances certainly did, and the penultimate home game of the season against Colchester United was a really big day for the club. A number of youngsters played and impressed in that match, and it was topped off with young Romello Nangle getting his first ever senior goal in his first senior appearance. A 1-0 win at eventual Champions Doncaster followed before we ended with an encouraging performance in a 2-2 draw with Coventry.
As far as player movements were concerned over the summer, Alan Judge’s departure was inevitable and no surprise. He leaves us with some great memories and goes with our best wishes. Neal Bishop’s departure didn’t come as a big surprise either. I was quite sad to see Bishop leave the club mainly because that made him the last player from that amazing 2009-10 campaign to leave the club. He was an important part of that side in the midfield, and he always gave his all. Sadly towards the end of his time with the club, his outspoken Tweets got him into hot water with some fans and in the end it kind of soured his relationship with them. Sad to see, but nevertheless he goes with my best wishes too.
One player who many were surprised to see leave was right back Julian Kelly. He’s deffinatly talented and on his day a fantastic player. Unfortunately, he appeared to be made of glass. He was constantly injured or carrying a knock during his time at the club, and to be honest I think letting him go made sense. If we’re tightening our belts we can’t really afford to be paying somebody who is constantly on the treatment table.
The loss of Julian Kelly may not be such a big problem though with the capture of Mustapha Dumbuya. Dumbuya played for both Portsmouth and Crawley Town against Notts County last season. I saw him on all three occasions he played against us, and I was really impressed with him every time. That must say something as I rarely take much notice of opposition players during a match, but his hard work and constant runs forward were noticeable. He must have covered every blade of grass every time. He’s impressed the fans with his hard working performances so far in pre-season and hopefully that’ll carry on into the new league campaign. He’s deffinatly a good capture for the club.
Former Charlton striker Danny Haynes appears to have been the Magpies most popular summer signing. He’s already netted two goals in his first two games against Rayo Vallecano and Ipswich Town. He comes highly rated by fans of his former clubs and he had a pretty impressive record at Championship level last season. He is a bit injury prone, but if we can keep him fit and get the best out of him, Haynes could prove to be that 20 goal a season striker we were crying out for last season.
Speaking of strikers, Yoann Arquin has impressed a lot of fans this pre-season. Despite being the club’s top scorer last season many people were un-impressed with Yoann. He seemed to lack interest and hunger a lot of the time and to be honest most people were surprised to see him stay at the club.
Arquin has been away in America playing for Martinique in the Concacaf Gold Cup, and he’s returned to Notts seemingly a different player! He’s netted two fabulous goals in the last two friendlies and suddenly appears to have a new desire and better attitude about him. He has a natural talent but we just need to get it out of him consistently. If we can do that, Yoann could prove to be a very dangerous player for us because on his day, he’s capable of causing any defence in league one problems.
Winger David Bell has also joined the club after leaving Coventry City at the end of last season. He looked a dangerous player in the two games against Notts last season and has also looked good in the friendlies, fingers crossed he can do well this season.
Andy Haworth is another new signing. He’s only here on an initial six month deal but despite a lot of people dismissing him on the news of his arrival, he’s had an excellent pre-season – scoring a few goals out in Finland and looking pretty dangerous going forwards in the home friendlies.
We have a small, but talented squad here at Notts County. We all know from last season how good Bartosz Bialkowski is in goal and Fabian Speiss is a competent number 2. Defensively we’re also very strong with new signing Dumbuya along with Captain Dean Leacock, Manny Smith, Alan Sheehan, Haydn Hollis, and midfielder Gary Liddle who played much of last season in the centre of defence very well.
In midfield we have wingers David Bell, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Greg Tempest and forward Francois Zoko can also play on the wing, while in midfield we have Gary Liddle, Andy Haworth, another new signing in Mark Fotheringham – who has been described as a younger, better version of Neal Bishop, a host of youngsters, Andre Boucaud and of course Joss Labadie. He struggled to get into the side for much of last season and was sent out on loan to Torquay United, where he netted 4 goals in 7 games to help the club in their fight against relegation. He came back to Notts a different player, scoring a memorable free-kick against Doncaster Rovers and showing potential to be one of Notts’ main stars this season.
With Danny Haynes, a seemingly revitalised Yoann Arquin, Francois Zoko, Enoch Showumni, Tyrell Waite & Romello Nangle up front, we have what looks like a very dangerous attack, it’s just a case of getting them firing on all cylinders. The youngsters have been very impressive.
There’s no doubt that this year League One is going to be even tougher than it was last season. At the minute I think the play-offs are a pretty tall order for Notts but we’re certainly capable of a top half finish. If we can be in the top half come the last few months of the season who knows what might happen!
As far as league one itself is concerned, I don’t think you can look beyond the relegated clubs for promotion. Wolves have by far the biggest budget in the league and getting Wolves out of league one shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for former Millwall boss Kenny Jacket. They’re certainly my favourites for the title, with Darren Fergusson’s Peterborough United to come second. Posh’s poor start to last season effectively cost them their Championship status, as they finished the season in promotion form, only being relegated with virtually the last kick of the last game.
Bristol City should also be up there with Sean O’Driscoll at the helm and what look like some impressive new signings on paper, and of course Sheffield United. The Blades have just missed out on promotion for the last two seasons now and will be more determined than ever to get back to the championship. They may have a rookie manager in David Weir, but Weir has years of experience playing at the highest level, and he was always known as a very hard worker on the pitch. If he can implement that side of his own game onto his new side the Blades will deffinatly be a force to be reckoned with.
Preston North End had a strong squad last season but it just didn’t happen for them. However they have Simon Grayson in charge now. He successfully guided Leeds United to the championship in 2009/10 and has made some impressive signings over the summer, in particular Kevin Davies. They could be dark horses for automatic promotion. They’re certainly play-off contenders.
And of course there’s Uwe Rossler’s Brentford – last season’s beaten play-off finalists. Brentford were one of the best sides we played last season, and they had the best home record in the division. They should be in the play-off mix again at least.
I think Crewe Alexandra could be dark horses for the play-offs. They have a great young manager and a hungry, talented young squad. They had an impressive first season back in league one last season and with their potent attack and fast flowing style of football, they could cause a lot of sides problems this season.
When I think about relegation candidates, the first club that comes to mind is Colchester United. Their league position has been getting worse for the last four seasons now and with one of the smallest budgets and smallest squads they could be in for a long season. Carlisle, perhaps surprisingly also struggled last season and don’t appear to have done much business over the summer.
I don’t think any of the four promoted clubs will go back down. Martin Allen’s Gillingham look quite strong. They’ve managed to keep to bulk of last season’s title winning squad and have made some impressive summer signings – most notably Cody McDonald from Coventry City.
Rotherham United have also kept most of their side together. They have a nice new stadium, plenty of money to spend and the experienced Steve Evans at the helm. They could be looking towards the top half along with the Gills.
Port Vale were the country’s leading scorers last season and we all know what Bradford City are capable of, those sides should all be fine.
I won’t predict a final league table because I don’t know enough about a lot of clubs, there are always a few surprises at both ends of the table but I’ve given you the sides I think will be the ones to watch at both ends.
One thing’s for sure, it promises to be a very exciting 2013-14 league one season. For Notts it should be a season of bedding the youngsters in and improving on last season’s 12th place. Chris Kiwomya is a good coach with great enthusiasm, and I think we can push for a top ten finish.
There’s a feel good factor amongst the fans, the new kits selling well (I love the home kit! The away not so much), and fans appear to be buying into the clubs philosophy of bringing through the younger players and building towards a brighter future.
So, roll on Friday night. We are capable of getting a result at Brammel Lane. We mustn’t go there with any fear. If we believe we can win there and play to our strengths we’re a big match for them.
We’ll need the black and white army in the stands to be our 12th man this season and get behind the team from the very first whistle. Sing loud and proud!
As Ray Winston would say - let’s get on it boys!
COME ON YOU PIES!
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